scandalous
adjective
scan·dal·ous
ˈskan-də-ləs 
1
: libelous, defamatory
scandalous allegations
2
: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously
adverb
scandalousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of scandalous in a Sentence
Sex was a scandalous subject back then.
The magazine published scandalous pictures of the movie star.
The high price of gas these days is scandalous.
She was spreading scandalous rumors about him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many famous beefs have involved scandalous personal attacks.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Starting right after her death, however, when her sister Casandra tries her best to protect her reputation – mostly by desperately looking for the potentially scandalous letters her famous sister left behind.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
McAllister wants to talk about the scandalous association.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
There is zero evidence to support these scandalous allegations — indeed, all available evidence demonstrates the Church had nothing to do with the alleged acts.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Zendaya is turning up the heat in this provocative tennis drama from director Luca Guadagnino, where a scandalous love triangle takes center court.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024
No scandalous maidens being ravished by rogues here—we’re talking about ideas, please.
—Hazlitt, 27 Mar. 2024
So too will be a sense of clubhouse togetherness, with one scandalous subplot already threatening to test the fabric of the team.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
But after Todd's death, the crooner and Taylor found solace in each other — and started a scandalous affair.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Starting right after her death, however, when her sister Casandra tries her best to protect her reputation – mostly by desperately looking for the potentially scandalous letters her famous sister left behind.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
McAllister wants to talk about the scandalous association.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
There is zero evidence to support these scandalous allegations — indeed, all available evidence demonstrates the Church had nothing to do with the alleged acts.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Zendaya is turning up the heat in this provocative tennis drama from director Luca Guadagnino, where a scandalous love triangle takes center court.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024
No scandalous maidens being ravished by rogues here—we’re talking about ideas, please.
—Hazlitt, 27 Mar. 2024
So too will be a sense of clubhouse togetherness, with one scandalous subplot already threatening to test the fabric of the team.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
But after Todd's death, the crooner and Taylor found solace in each other — and started a scandalous affair.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scandalous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near scandalous
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
scandalous
adjective
scan·dal·ous
ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs
1
: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory
denied the truth of the scandalous rumors
2
: shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on scandalous
Nglish: Translation of scandalous for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of scandalous for Arabic Speakers
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